Russian River Brewing opens new $50 million Windsor brewery to massive crowds

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When Russian River Brewing co-owners Natalie and Vincent Cilurzo opened the doors to their new Windsor facility last week, they expected a crowd, but nothing too outrageous.

Sure there would be an opening rush but it wouldn’t be anything their new 260 space parking lot couldn’t accommodate. Plus, the lot was built more for the crowds associated with their Pliny the Younger releases, not opening weekend for the 85,000-square-foot brewery and restaurant.

Within a few hours, 1,400 people showed up.

“It was incredible. On that first day, our parking lot was filled. Every single space. Filled,” Natalie said. “I’ll be honest, we also had this small moment of panic where we were thinking ‘Uh oh, is this the new normal?’”

Photo: Russian River Brewing.

Crowds outside of Russian River Brewing's new Windsor facility.

Crowds outside of Russian River Brewing's new Windsor facility.

The crowds have subsided over the last few days, Natalie said, but the overall service numbers are still significant. It’s all part of a monumental step for Russian River. Just last year its footprint consisted of a small downtown Santa Rosa brew pub, which remains open, and a former Santa Rosa production facility, which they no longer use.

Russian River’s new facility has a 200-seat restaurant, an outdoor beer garden, two bars, a fireplace, mammoth Sycamore slab communal tables, a tasting room and a gift shop. Tours of the facility will be available next month.

There are more than a dozen beers on tap, including Pliny the Elder, a pair of IPAs in Happy Hops and the Blind Pig, as well as a special Windsor-inspired porter, among other things. Outside of the craft beer, there are eight wines available by the glass, though more could be added in the near future.

The Russian River restaurant menu is broken into categories for small plates, vegetable dishes and large format options. (See the full menu here.)

Photo: Russian River Brewing.

Russian River Brewing's new Windsor facility.

Russian River Brewing's new Windsor facility.

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The project, originally slated to cost about $30 million, had a $50 million price tag. Natalie said now that the space is officially open, she’s noticing small things that need to be tweaked. For instance, in the outdoor patio area, she said she might add more shade.

“It’s something to do, but with winter around the corner, I’m going to leave it alone. Plus, we’re out of money so it’ll just have to work for now,” she said with a laugh.

As for the first day they opened, Natalie said she was glad to see so many familiar faces visiting the location, including people who frequented the Santa Rosa Russian River space. But still, she’s glad to see everything is getting to a new normal that’s much more manageable.

“It was great to have the crowd, but wow,” she said. “I don’t think it could have been like that every day. Still, we’re having fun. That’s what matters.”